Bad Cruz: A Reverse Grumpy/Sunshine Romance

On the day Wyatt and Trinity got married, I woke up feeling like every MMA fighter in the world punched my tit the previous night, amateurs included.

My chest hurt so bad it was a wonder I could breathe.

I all but scraped myself off of my bed, crawling my way into the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee.

Unlike me, Bear looked bright and happy as he strode in with a big smile on his face. He was already wearing his tux, which I’d had to alter three times in three months, since he seemed to be going through a crazy growth spurt.

He looked handsome with his hair slicked back, and the plume above his upper lip was conspicuously missing.

“Did you just shave?” I brought the coffee mug to my lips, taking a greedy sip.

He poured himself some orange juice, throwing me an embarrassed smile. “D’you like it?”

“Not if you used my razor!”

I thought about the places that razor had seen in the past few weeks. Especially during my hookup period with Cruz and wanted to keel over and throw up.

“Nope. Dad got me a brand new one. The one you see in TV commercials, with a central trimmer and stainless steel blade.”

“Dad, huh?”

I lifted an eyebrow, taking another sip. I tried to look much less excited than I was. I liked that Bear had a dad now.

If I expired tomorrow, Bear was officially Rob’s problem, which meant Bear had one more person to take care of him. And since I hadn’t spoken to anyone in my family for an entire week, that was definitely good news.

“Yeah. And guess what? He and Cruz said they’d take me to get a haircut in Raleigh. There’s this place where all the celebrities go. They get their haircuts there, too.”

So Cruz, Rob, and Bear were a thing now. How lovely. How truly, very lovely.

My traitorous heart did a few flips, and I put my coffee mug down.

“When did that happen?”

“Yesterday, when Dad and I went fishing and Cruz tagged along.”

They went fishing, too?

It was disturbingly wholesome.

I was starting to think they were planning Bear’s bachelor party in Vegas without my consent.

“You’re only thirteen, Bear. You should tell me if you see people who aren’t your father. I didn’t authorize this.”

“We went fishing.” Bear opened a cabinet over my head and took out a cereal box, pouring half of its content into a bowl. “Besides, we both know Uncle Cruz is not a bad influence on me. It’s not my fault you didn’t want to move in with him. Which, by the way, technically means I should be mad at you. I could’ve had a game room, Mom.”

He leaned against the counter and began shoveling cereal into his mouth using a spoon, sans milk. He got it from his dad. Rob never used to put milk in his cereal, which in my humble opinion was definitely grounds for deportation from this planet.

“Cruz told you that?”

“No, Dad did when Cruz wasn’t there.”

“What’d he say, exactly?”

“Only that I shouldn’t tell you that he said anything—oops—and that Cruz was kind of bummed about it, I guess.”

“Really?” I asked thirstily. “Did he look broken to you?”

“No.”

“Did he cry?”

Bear stared at me like I was insane.

I was insane.

“No.”

“Well, now.” I sniffed, tilting my chin up. “Guess he’ll survive, then. Dr. Costello is a very sought-after man.”

A sought-after man who stayed true to his word and hadn’t contacted me since he gave me an ultimatum and I blew it.

Bear gave me a pitiful look.

Heartbreak was so miserably horrible.

Now I remembered why I didn’t do relationships.

It felt the same as the last time I’d tried.

Three hours later, I walked into the bridal suite Trinity was occupying ahead of her church ceremony at the Grace Covenant Church downtown.

And when I say “bridal suite,” I mean her childhood room, because Fairhope wasn’t known for its hotels, or for its wedding venues, or really, for anything whatsoever when you thought about it.

It was the first time I’d seen my family since the peanut fiasco when I came to pick up Bear and got a shower of insults.

My family did not contact me after Gabriella had come to inform me she had set the record straight, and frankly, I had been too busy applying for loans to pay for my personal stylist course to talk to them.

Or maybe I just didn’t think there was much to be said after the way they’d left things.

“Mooooooom,” Trinity whined, sitting in front of her mirror in a bathrobe. “I can’t do this. I really can’t. I need to call the wedding off.”

I slipped into the room, in which Gabriella and Mom were running like headless chickens, the hairstylist pinning Trinity’s hair into place, hovering above her head.

Gabriella looked up from shining Trinity’s shoes and threw me a smile. “Hi, Nessy.”

“Hi, Gabriella.” I closed the door behind me.

Trinity welcomed me with a huff and an eye roll, and my mother gestured toward the door.

“Nessy, you’re late. Do us a favor and get everyone some refreshments and a little snack for Bethany, the hairstylist. We’re having a crisis here.”

Hello to you, too, Mother.

What’s that? Yes, I’m okay despite the jail stint. Thanks for asking how I’ve been.

And yes, I’m very relieved that Gabriella told you the truth.

Pettily, I turned to Gabriella with a quizzing look, not wanting to address my mother if she couldn’t even apologize for what she’d put me through.

“What’s happening?”

“The makeup artist is not coming.” Gabriella winced. “She got into a car accident.”

“Is she okay?” I asked.

“Oh, who cares?! It’s so like Nessy to always ask the wrong question,” Trinity huffed.

“Yeah, she’s fine, but the doctors think she might have a concussion, so she will be staying at the hospital through the night,” Gabriella replied mildly.

I nodded and went downstairs to get everyone refreshments. Bear was already at the church with my father and Rob.

Cruz was probably there, too.

I wasn’t ready to see him.

I didn’t think I’d ever be ready to see him.

I didn’t know what to make of Rob and Cruz’s blossoming new friendship. It seemed like I had once again been pushed to the sidelines of a social circle that I was supposed to be a part of.

I got back upstairs with a tray full of sparkling water, apple juice, and cookies, and set it on the edge of the vanity, as far as possible from Trinity, whose hair was almost done. It was coiffed elegantly and dramatically.

“My goodness, what are you doing, Nessy? The juice is literally four feet away from me. That’s an accident waiting to happen,” Trinity bit out.

“Nessy, why didn’t you bring the triangle sandwiches I made?” Mom complained, smoothing over the wedding dress hanging on Trinity’s closet door. “I don’t understand, they were right there on the counter.”

“And I still don’t have anyone to do my makeup!” Trinity flung her arms in the air.

“I can do your makeup,” I said quietly.

I might’ve chosen to look like a drag queen up until a few weeks ago, but I knew my way around a makeup bag. I had a steady hand and was very good at dramatic eyeliner and contouring.

Plus, my eyeshadow game was a killer.

Trinity gave me a scandalous look. “Hard pass.”

“Don’t upset your sister, Nessy. She is stressed as it is. Just go bring the triangle sandwiches.” Mom waved me off.

“I think you should let Nessy do your makeup, Trinity,” Gabriella said gently, putting her hand on her best friend’s shoulder. “She’s our best shot. We won’t be able to find anyone semi-professional at such a short notice.”

“She’s only going to ruin it,” Trinity moaned. “That’s her go-to. You know that as well as I do, Gabriella.”

I wanted to get up and leave. Not only the room, but the town. The state. The country.

The dislike I felt for and from the women in my life was so intense, so out of control, I could hardly breathe.

“You have to be practical,” Mom cooed at Trinity. “Maybe Gabriella’s right. There’s no other choice.”

“I’m still mad at her,” Trinity pouted.

I smiled cordially, suddenly completely and utterly exhausted from her casual bullying, “Guess what? I’m mad at you, too. So why don’t you shove your spoiled tantrum up your ASS and find someone else to try to make your UGLY beautiful, because lemme tell you, baby sister, this one’s going to be a challenge.”

Everyone in the room stared at me with shock.

Yup. I went there.

I cursed.

Trinity was the first to recover. Her mouth turned into an O-shaped, silent scream.

“See? She just called me ugly on my wedding day.”

I turned around, opened the door, and ran out, taking the stairs two at a time. Mom bolted after me like lightning.

“Tennessee Lilybeth Turner! Do you really think it’s the right time to pick a fight with your sister?”

“Yes,” I said calmly, grabbing my purse and heading for the door. “She’s surrounded by all her fans—she’s got nothing but support from you all.”

I was already dressed in my lavender bridesmaid outfit, but was seriously contemplating making a stop back at home and changing into an all-black outfit. After all, this was going to be the funeral for Wyatt Costello’s happiness.

Mom continued following me to the door. “Look, I know she is a little overwhelmed…”

I turned around sharply, raising my palm up to stop her from talking.

“No, she is not. She is a complete and utter bitch to me, and so are you. My entire life, I tried to pacify you. You worked me to the bone to get this wedding to be exactly what she wanted it to be. She didn’t even invite me to her bachelorette party and pretty much assaulted me into breaking up with the only man I ever truly cared about.”

“Honey…”

“And not only that,” I raised my voice, hoping Trinity was able to hear, “but when Mrs. Holland accused me of trying to kill her daughter, you simply took her word for it. It took Gabriella to come to you personally and tell you that it wasn’t true, and even then, you didn’t have it in you to pick up the phone and apologize for your behavior. Yet, you knew I would show up here today. Do my part. Support you unconditionally. I’m done. Done with you. Done with Trinity. Done with this entire family. You’re not worth my love, my compassion, my everlasting loyalty. You are not worth all the things I freely give to you, because you don’t return even an ounce of it back.”

“Nessy, wait!” Mom cried.

I didn’t listen.

I got out, making my way to my car. Driving away from the place that made me feel so weak, so inadequate, I felt a weird sense of calm wash over me.

Finally, I was taking charge of my life.

No more Messy Nessy.

No one was going to put me down anymore.